Title - Boccherini Chamber Works for Flute [2CD]
Artist - Sally Walker
For those unaware, late 18th century Italian composer Luigi Boccherini produced a vast catalogue of compositions, several of which were chamber works featuring the flute.
Australian flautist Sally Walker, whose first appearance on AVIE was in collaboration with harpist Emily Granger on the album Something Like This, has taken a deep dive into the provenance of Boccherini’s works for her instrument to produce a 90-minute, 2-for-the-price-of-one volume of music that is infinitely elegant, virtuosic and beautifully refined.
The relatively rare yet imaginative Six Quintets, Op. 19, for two violins, flute, viola and cello vary in their configuration, some intimate, others on a grander scale reminiscent of the composer’s orchestral music. Also included are the first Divertimento Notturno from the Sextet, Op. 38 for violin, viola, bassoon, flute, horn and double bass; and, as a bonus the Quintet G.443 for flute, oboe, violin, viola and cello, a work attributed to Boccherini.
Although its authorship is contested, as Sally says, “It is such a beautiful work that we wanted to include it anyway.”
CD 1:
Flute Quintet Op. 19, No. 1 in E Flat Major, G.425
1. I. Allegretto con moto
2. II. Minuetto (Con moto) – Trio
Flute Quintet Op. 19, No. 2 in G Minor, G.426
3. I. Allegro con un poco di moto
4. II. Minuetto (Con moto) – Trio
Flute Quintet Op. 19, No. 3 in C Major, G.427
5. I. Andante non troppo
6. II. Rondeau (Grazioso)
Flute Quintet Op. 19, No. 4 in D Major, G.428
7. I. Adagio assai
8. II. Minuetto (Con moto) – Trio
Flute Quintet Op. 19, No. 5 in B Flat Major, G.429
9. I. Allegro moderato
10. II. Allegro presto assai
Flute Quintet Op. 19, No. 6 in D Major, G.430 ‘Las Parejas’
11. I. Entrada: (Andante) – Marcha
12. II. Galope –
13. – Como la Entrada (Andante) – Marcha
The beauty of Flute Quintet Op. 19, No. 1 in E Flat Major, G.425 opens the recording for us, with the spirited, emboldened Allegretto con moto and the more thoughtful, cultured tones of Minuetto (Con moto) – Trio paving the way for Flute Quintet Op. 19, No. 2 in G Minor, G.426, and both the undaunted Allegro con un poco di moto and the sheer elegance of Minuetto (Con moto) – Trio, and then comes the Flute Quintet Op. 19, No. 3 in C Major, G.427 with both the graceful Andante non troppo and the playful Rondeau (Grazioso), being backed by Flute Quintet Op. 19, No. 4 in D Major, G.428, and the pure gossamer of Adagio assai and the languishing beauty within Minuetto (Con moto) – Trio.
Along next is Flute Quintet Op. 19, No. 5 in B Flat Major, G.429, which opens on the upbeat and joyful Allegro moderato, closing on the rousing Allegro presto assai, the first CD rounding out on Flute Quintet Op. 19, No. 6 in D Major, G.430 ‘Las Parejas,’ with the forthright Entrada: (Andante) – Marcha leading the way and followed by the regimented rhythms of Galope – and the strident Como la Entrada (Andante) – Marcha.
Sally Walker, flute
Elizabeth Layton, violin | Alison Rayner, violin
Stephen King, viola | Thomas Marlin, cello
CD 2:
Sextet in E Flat Major, Op. 38, No. 1, G.467
1. I. Andante lento
2. II. Allegro ma non presto
3. III. Tempo di Minuetto – Trio
Sally Walker, flute
Elizabeth Layton, violin | Stephen King, viola
Sarah Barrett, horn | Mark Gaydon, bassoon | Robert Nairn, double-bass
Flute Quintet in C Major, G.443
4. I. Allegro non troppo
5. II. Allegretto
6. III. Tempo di Minuetto (Vars. I–XII)
Sally Walker, flute
Celia Craig, oboe
Elizabeth Layton, violin | Stephen King, viola | Thomas Marlin, cello
Opening the second disc is Sextet in E Flat Major, Op. 38, No. 1, G.467, which begins with the impassioned Andante lento, and then proceeds to bring us the flirtatious Allegro ma non presto and a delightful elegance within Tempo di Minuetto – Trio, and the highly impressive recording comes to a close on the resplendent Flute Quintet in C Major, G.443, which opens on the dainty fare of Allegro non troppo, the free flowing musical majesties of Allegretto, ending on an aching yearn found within Tempo di Minuetto (Vars. I–XII).
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